Bill Text: MN SR131 | 2019-2020 | 91st Legislature | Draft
Bill Title: A Senate resolution honoring the Swenson Family of Wright County for being named a 2019 Farm Family of the Year
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-02-11 - Referred to Rules and Administration [SR131 Detail]
Download: Minnesota-2019-SR131-Draft.html
1.1A Senate resolution
1.2honoring the Swenson Family of Wright County for being named a 2019
1.3Farm Family of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, family farms form the foundation of Minnesota agriculture, drive Minnesota's
1.5economy, and maintain the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities; and the University of
1.6Minnesota is proud to annually recognize families from throughout the state who exemplify the
1.7contributions of family farms to the prosperity of our state; and
1.8WHEREAS, Swenson Gardens is truly a family affair, as the Swenson family's love for
1.9peonies was passed down from their grandparents many years ago; and
1.10WHEREAS, in 2002, the Swensons planted their first commercial bare-root peonies on 1-1/2
1.11acres of leased land; and
1.12WHEREAS, after five years of caring for the plants and learning more about the market,
1.13the family decided to cast a bigger vision and in 2007 purchased a 40-acre farm near Howard Lake;
1.14and
1.15WHEREAS, they recently expanded to developing new varieties and released their first
1.16seedlings in 2018, and now nurture thousands of peony plants in hundreds of different varieties
1.17that are sold as bare roots to the public; and
1.18WHEREAS, the Swensons have raised peonies without chemicals since the beginning, and
1.19they are now considered the world's largest chemical-free peony grower; and
1.20WHEREAS, Keith and Becky Swenson are the owner/operators of Swenson Gardens and
1.21their children, Britta and Luke, help make the operation a success; and
1.22WHEREAS, the Swensons are very involved in the Minnesota Peony Society and the
1.23American Peony Society and also donate plants for annual fund-raising auctions, educate the public
1.24about raising peonies, and host garden club presentations at their farm; and
1.25WHEREAS, for many years the family participated in horse, communication, and general
1.26project areas through the Wright County 4-H program; and
1.27NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.28congratulates the Swenson Family of Wright County for being named a 2019 Farm Family of the
1.29Year and extends best wishes to them for the future.
1.30BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.31enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.32Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Keith and Becky
1.33Swenson.
1.2honoring the Swenson Family of Wright County for being named a 2019
1.3Farm Family of the Year.
1.4WHEREAS, family farms form the foundation of Minnesota agriculture, drive Minnesota's
1.5economy, and maintain the vitality of Minnesota's rural communities; and the University of
1.6Minnesota is proud to annually recognize families from throughout the state who exemplify the
1.7contributions of family farms to the prosperity of our state; and
1.8WHEREAS, Swenson Gardens is truly a family affair, as the Swenson family's love for
1.9peonies was passed down from their grandparents many years ago; and
1.10WHEREAS, in 2002, the Swensons planted their first commercial bare-root peonies on 1-1/2
1.11acres of leased land; and
1.12WHEREAS, after five years of caring for the plants and learning more about the market,
1.13the family decided to cast a bigger vision and in 2007 purchased a 40-acre farm near Howard Lake;
1.14and
1.15WHEREAS, they recently expanded to developing new varieties and released their first
1.16seedlings in 2018, and now nurture thousands of peony plants in hundreds of different varieties
1.17that are sold as bare roots to the public; and
1.18WHEREAS, the Swensons have raised peonies without chemicals since the beginning, and
1.19they are now considered the world's largest chemical-free peony grower; and
1.20WHEREAS, Keith and Becky Swenson are the owner/operators of Swenson Gardens and
1.21their children, Britta and Luke, help make the operation a success; and
1.22WHEREAS, the Swensons are very involved in the Minnesota Peony Society and the
1.23American Peony Society and also donate plants for annual fund-raising auctions, educate the public
1.24about raising peonies, and host garden club presentations at their farm; and
1.25WHEREAS, for many years the family participated in horse, communication, and general
1.26project areas through the Wright County 4-H program; and
1.27NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
1.28congratulates the Swenson Family of Wright County for being named a 2019 Farm Family of the
1.29Year and extends best wishes to them for the future.
1.30BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
1.31enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
1.32Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to Keith and Becky
1.33Swenson.
| Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate | Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration |
| Bruce D. AndersonState Senator, District 29 |
